[4] Teaching English at Brooklyn College and New York University,[3] he developed a love and understanding of the works of Shakespeare.

Shakespeare's antique tales were the force which motivated Algarín to strive to one day have a place of his own where he could tell the story of where he lives.

Eventually, Algarín became a professor of Shakespeare, creative writing, and United States ethnic literature at Rutgers University.

The Café is now a non-profit organization that offers programs which include poetry and prose readings, theatrical and musical performances, and visual arts exhibits.

The Latin jam session which is celebrated at the Café has been a weekly "Critics Choice" at the New York Press for six consecutive years.

[citation needed] Principally known as a poet, Algarín's books include Mongo Affair, On Call (1980), Body Bee Calling from the 21st Century (1982), Time's Now/Ya es tiempo (1985), and Love Is Hard Work: Memorias de Loisaida/Poems (1997, Lower East Side Memories/Poems).

[4][6][7][8][9][10][14] Algarín retired as professor from Rutgers University,[15] but continued as the executive producer of the Nuyorican Poets Café's theater and was working on a piece of literature titled "Dirty Beauty".